Understanding the consequences of our action is how acting consciously comes naturally.
Until four years ago, many people had never heard of the concept of resilience or believed that humanity had this ability to adapt to adverse situations in an organized but also individual way. Change can be scary, but it’s part of life.
We’re opening 2024 with the environmental countdown on, because there’s a lot to change and little time to do it. Next year represents one of the ‘control points’ for compliance with environmental objectives and there will be important changes for administrations, companies and civil society that have not yet done their homework. New regulatory frameworks and new civic duties await us: new habits to incorporate in day-to-day life. One aspect, which may surprise, of the application of the new regulations is that the European Union obliges local bodies to finance the management of municipal waste entirely with the collection of relevant taxes. This is a fee that some municipalities partially or fully subsidized and that citizens will now have to pay. This is important because, in the case of garbage, the increase in taxes will not be the result of an arbitrary decision or a collection drive.
The selective collection revolution
Unlike in other territories of the State, containers for new fractions of municipal waste will not suddenly appear in Catalonia: they are already there. The difference is that the separation of waste such as textiles, used oils or special waste will no longer be voluntary—although highly recommended and necessary—because it will be mandatory.
In the same way, for the recycling objectives to be met, selective collection in the municipalities must improve. The most efficient systems for separating municipal waste have been shown to be by eliminating open containers and implementing identification or door-to-door systems. These systems make it possible to establish rates proportional to the generation of waste, paying more for those who generate too much waste or separate it poorly.
Avoiding the generation of waste, separating it into fractions and depositing it in the correct landfill is mainly a matter of culture; to be aware that, even if an effort is needed, it is the right way and must be done well. How to follow the traffic code or municipal ordinances. It is through environmental education and awareness, when it is achieved that the changes are not an imposition, but that they are understood and assumed.
It is more important not to generate than to have to manage!
Having environmental awareness conditions our actions, the way we buy and consume, the use we make of supplies such as electricity and water, the way we travel, and how we dispose of waste. In all these actions, we must try to choose the path of prevention: not to generate so much waste, avoid the waste of resources and reduce CO₂ emissions. Collective power is very important, but a majority decision is not necessarily the right one. Environmental awareness put into action has an effect on the planet and for our well-being, so let’s practice it even if no one follows us; they will do it
